Please take a moment and make a financial contribution to TheFunded. If we have helped you, help us with resources to further grow the both the site and our entrepreneur training program, The Founder Institute.

Partner Information:

Title: General Partner

Location: Menlo Park, US West

Blog:

Firm Rating:

Firm Information:

Type: Medium Private VC

FIRM DESCRIPTION: We believe that venture capital has a special role in the investment world - to help entrepreneurs build companies.
To build great companies, there is nothing more important than people. It is by far the most important factor when we consider new opportunities. We view each engagement as a long term commitment. We invest in only a handful of new opportunities each year and we limit the number of boards each partner can take on.
Altos has formed three venture capital funds ranging in size from $50 million to $100 million. We have the support and backing of some of the leading endowments, financial institutions, fund of funds, and family offices in North America and Asia.

Posted by
Talk Life Team
on 2008-11-06

PUBLIC:

We met with Ho today to discuss our plan to get "fundable" - meaning showing traffic / revenue. He immediately understood our concept in detail, gave us some valuable insights (proving you have organic traffic is king when pitching), and was having fun brainstorming some marketing strategies.

Ho Nam was willing to listen and provide insight even when we all knew we weren't in the position to be funded right at this moment. Other VCs may have blown us off at this time.

Some background: We met Ho at the Silver and Gold Venture conference in Reno (10/21/2008), had a quick conversation and decided to finish it this week, being down in Palo Alto for the Tesla networking event.

Posted by
burning
on 2007-05-22

PUBLIC:

When we first received funding from Altos, it wasn't much out of a choice: after scores of meetings with tens of VCs, Altos was really the only one willing to bet their dollars on just a few Powerpoint slides. At that time, we felt like we could/should have done better and got a better valuation, etc.

That was two years ago. Now, we love 'em. They really try to understand and help your business. They went to almost all the business meetings with us at the beginning, including a trip to Asia, and worked almost as a virtual biz dev team for us. When you are a tiny company with little money and no reputation, having your investor go to potential customers together helps greatly.

They also contributed greatly in our getting a subsequent round done. They introduced many VCs from their network, and practically found a co-investor firm that came in to the round that Altos led again.

One of the best investors I've ever worked with in many senses. The longer you work with them, the better you appreciate them.

Posted by
m&m
on 2007-07-16

PUBLIC:

I've known Ho Nam over 9 years and I was an inside director when Altos funded Listen.com (Series A). After investing, Ho provided an amazing amount of help to build the company and was truly a value added investor. He had great insights into the business, provided market research when needed and continually helped build the executive team as the company grew. Even when times became tough (which happens at most startups) Ho was supportive to corrective changes, kept a positive spirit and continued to be helpful with management.

If you are looking for an investor who knows how to build a business and will devote a significant amount of time, then Altos Ventures (and Ho Nam) would be a great place to seek funding.

Posted by
wally500
on 2007-05-17

PUBLIC:

The value I've received from Altos really started after we received the funds seven years ago. They are a rare breed that allows companies to be run by management's vision of long-term value versus near-term investor ROI. True colors show during tough times and their support was crucial during a longer than anticipated validation stage.
I highly recommend Altos for anyone looking for 2M-5M in capital.

Posted by
indirect
on 2007-10-16

PUBLIC:

I have never pitched Altos as my companies don't fit the industries they serve, but I've known Brendon for many years and received valuable advice from him in my early days as a young Internet entrepreneur. Smart, high integrity, huge heart... he's the kind of guy you want to work with. Even though we haven't talked in quite some time, can't resist telling fellow entrepreneurs that this guy is gold.

Posted by
goldengate
on 2010-08-04

PUBLIC:

I have pitched Altos on several opportunities over the years. Each time it has been a great experience. In addition to great feedback on our pitches, the firm has always offered to make further connections and help us build our investment rounds.

Posted by
advisor
on 2008-06-05

PUBLIC:

Anthony Lee, a partner at Altos, invested in one of my companies and has been an advisor to me for another. Unlike a lot of VCs that over-structure deals solely to maximize their upside and eliminate their downside, Altos terms tend to be much more founder friendly. They seem to try to create a win-win situation where all interests are aligned. Anthony was also extremely careful not to overstep his role as an advisor. Where a lot of VCs can be arrogant and overbearing, he provides great advice but doesn't dictate. I've dealt with a lot of VCs and Altos is one of the select few that I'd work with again.

Posted by
malamute
on 2008-01-07

PUBLIC:

First off the whole team is great, since funding we've had solid hands-on assistance from 3 of the 4 partners. Yet they aren't going to monkey in the business unless asked, they tend towards trusting the teams they invest in.

They advocate lean and smart running. Strong connections into Stanford GSB to interact with professors/academics and recruit advisory board members. Also should be considered very seriously if your business has any opportunity in Asian markets.

Posted by
BP
on 2012-07-10

PUBLIC:

Altos is run by high integrity individuals. They have a specific set of investment criteria and are straightforward, quick and honest about providing feedback and do not waste your time. I've pitched them a few times without success but have no ill-will b/c they were transparent throughout the process.

Posted by
nd_grad
on 2008-02-07

PUBLIC:

After speaking with many of the top-tier VCs, Altos stood out as an organization that appreciates entrepreneurs who can get results. They are the only firm that did not try to beat our successful business model into the "box" of software only, infinitely scalable, no people. Instead, they looked carefully at the problem to be solved, our approach and our vision.

Ho Nam contributes a great deal to our Board, company and team.

If you have a company that has revenue and a lean, mean approach, Altos may be an excellent partner.

Altos seems to be making a lot of smart steps to be a world-class fund. They are not afraid of investing in companies that have some revenue or companies that are outside of their immediate geography. They appreciate the efforts of a founder that has to scrape by to get the company off the ground. They are open to different kinds of deals, and they provide a quick "no."

My experience with Altos is that they're a really strong group, but that they have a pretty small sweet spot in terms of size of deal, stage of company and valuation. It feels like on one hand they need clear traction, but on the other don't want to come in too late. A third of a $6m to $9m round seems like their favorite bite.

As far as I can tell they like to syndicate their deals (some recent ones appear to be Outspark with Doll, GuardianEdge with Cardinal and Cargill, Billeo with Claremont Creek and Pacifica Fund - it looks like they were the primary on Provade.)

Overall they seem like a great group - but make sure you get a clear sense of their sweet spot before investing too much time.